Ever since he was a young boy Robert O’Connor has been fascinated by archery.

From the time he could make a bow and arrows and shoot into the trees in his backyard, the sport has held an appeal that he could not shake.

Time, and life, however got in the way and it was not until two years ago, that O’Connor, now in his mid forties, was finally able to devote some time to one of his first loves.

“I didn’t really have the chance to do the sport when I was younger, then two years ago Ross Roberts set up Gold Point Archery in a field near where I live in St David’s,” O’Connor said.

“I immediately wanted to help and be a part of it.”

Roberts taught O’Connor the basics, coached him to get better, and now, two years later, he is on the verge of representing Bermuda at the NatWest Island Games in Jersey.

“Ever since that day two years ago I have practiced as much as I can, weekdays, weekends, whenever the range was open, and I just kept getting better and better,” O’Connor said.

His improvement, along with that of club and now international team-mate, Bernard Wade III prompted Roberts to suggest that the pair try out to represent their country.

The rest is history, and although O’Connor admits that it will be difficult to control his nerves, he has vowed to try and remain as relaxed as possible as he gets to fulfill a childhood dream.

Not that he is done dreaming.

“One day I hope to have the honour and privilege of representing my country in the Olympics,” he said.